Sunday Session: Matt Shirvington on drug cheats, Olympics, role models and why Usain Bolt can fly

MATT Shirvington, Australian sprint champion and Sydney Olympian, talks to Robert Craddock about drug cheats, role models and why Usain Bolt can fly.

Sydney Olympian Matt Shirvington has made a smooth transition to the commentary box as a rugby league host for Fox Sports.

MATT SHIRVINGTON was a five times Australian 100m sprint champion and Sydney Olympian who has made a smooth transition to the commentary box as a rugby league host for Fox Sports.

An avid Manly fan since he was a boy, Shirvington enjoys the rugby league scene but still keeps a close eye on the athletics scene which was once his world.

He talks about drug cheats, role models, why Usain Bolt can fly and how the Broncos James Roberts could have been sprint king.

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What about the decision to kick Russia’s track and field team out of the Games?

I would have been very disappointed to see them there. They did enough not to be invited. If the Olympic had any reputation to uphold they had to be stopped from competing. It’s a shame for the clean athletes but it is too widespread and clinical in its delivery. They need to clean up their house before they are allowed on the world stage.

Did you sense you raced drug cheats?

I had an inkling of who was taking something and rumours of who may be under a cloud. Not so much individuals but training groups who suddenly became competitive when they had not been previously. There were times when I was confronted with it directly but I never entertained the idea. It was more like “you are injured, you want to run this week ... I can make it happen.’’

Usain Bolt has the physical tools as well as the mentality of a true champion.

As a sprinter what do you admire most about Usain Bolt?

One’s physical, one’s mental. He is six foot four and technically anyone that tall should not be able to do what he does. Anyone over the height of six foot two which is Linford Christie’s height just are not supposed to have the power he generates. I’m in awe of that.

How does he just surge away from them?

Because he covers about a foot more every step than anyone else. He does three metres a step. His stride frequency is not better than the rest but his stride length is so much better. Emotionally its just so refreshing to see someone embrace the situation and bring everyone else into it.

What struck you about him off the track?

He is so engaging and approachable. I asked him once what the highlight of his career was and he said it was running in front of his home crowd in Jamaica in the world junior championships. That showed there was another layer which shows he appreciates where he come from and celebrates who he is.

Who’s the rugby league player you think could have made an Olympic sprinter?

James Roberts. Hands down. The Broncos sent me a video of him running a 40m in the pre-season. You can just see it. He is he is shaped like sprinter.

The thing that worries me is that footballers put on so much size they lose their athletic ability. Ben Barba, for instance, is looking leaner than ever and it is no surprised it is reflected in his form.

James Roberts has the raw speed to turn his hand to sprinting if he chose to.

Most Australian athletes have an Australian athletic hero. Do You?

Herb Elliott is an inspiration for me. He lives not far from me in Sydney. I just thought that him retiring at a young age when he was unbeaten was unbelievable. Secondly the ability to transition to another career and take those key attributes into a corporate career was hugely impressive. I am also in awe of Sally Pearson as a trainer, role model and competitor.

Herb reckons that one of the reasons Australian athletics times have stagnated in many events is that kids don’t run as much as they used to. Do you agree?

Yes. Organised sport is definitely more popular than free-play for men and its why we see more great female athletes. For the boys if you can run fast by age 13 and can catch and pass a ball you are all but gone to the football codes. The other thing about our society is we are all in on popular things like live-streaming. Sport feels more like the true professional sports and the footy codes which are getting larger and larger. Olympic sports become less relevant but to many people they are still the pinnacle but for only a couple of weeks in a four year cycle.

Matt Shirvington was no slouch over 100m himself.

Do you think Bolt will win in Rio?

Yes I do. He is not running super fast but I don’t think there is anyone around who can beat him.

What do you make of you own career as a runner?

I was proud of the fact that I got a couple of medals at the Commonwealth Games and world championships and I did well in Australia but the thing I was most proud of there was no-one at that time who trained harder than me. That was the greatest thing I can take away.

How have you found the transition from athlete to commentator?

I love what I do and I am so lucky to do it. I see myself as a traffic cop and someone who helps the direction of the show. It’s great fun.

Originally published as Sunday Session: Matt Shirvington on drug cheats, Olympics, role models and why Usain Bolt can fly